Joseph Hergesheimer
Tubal Cain
"Tubal Cain" by Joseph Hergesheimer is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story delves into the life of Alexander Hulings, a disillusioned lawyer struggling with his professional failures and personal relationships. As he grapples with the pressures of his own inadequacies, the novel explores themes of ambition, identity, and the human connection to work and industry. The beginning of "Tubal Cain" introduces us to Alexander Hulings, who is caught in a melancholic state as he reflects on his lack of success in law and the stagnant engagement with his fiancée, Hallie Flower. As Hulings contemplates a drastic change in his life, he decides to abandon his legal career and travel to Tubal Cain, the iron forge owned by his cousin. His interactions with Dr. Veneada and his subsequent journey reveal a man on the brink of a significant turning point, aiming to forge a new path that transcends his past failures through the tangible and elemental pursuit of ironwork. This initial portion sets the stage for Hulings' transformation and the challenges he will face in his quest for meaning and success.